Mahwah NJ Providing Alcohol to Minors Defense Attorneys 

Criminal and Juvenile Defense Lawyers in Bergen County, New Jersey 

Travis J. Tormey is an experienced criminal defense and drunk driving (DWI) attorney who represents clients charged with various underage alcohol-related offenses, including providing alcohol to minors, underage possession of alcohol, and possession of a fake ID throughout New Jersey, including in Ridgefield Park, Saddle Brook Township, and Englewood City. With offices conveniently located in Hackensack, Mr. Tormey appears in courts throughout northern New Jersey on a daily basis. Mr. Tormey focuses his practice entirely on criminal defense and drunk driving, which has allowed him to perfect his craft in these specific areas of law. In fact, Mr. Tormey has been cited as a legal resource by several New Jersey newspapers, including the Daily Record and the Asbury Park Press, as well as AOL News. Contact his office anytime at (201)-330-4979 for a free consultation.

 

Providing Alcohol to Minors in New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 2C:33-17

The New Jersey statute which governs providing alcohol to minors is N.J.S.A. 2C:33-17. It provides, in pertinent part:

a. Anyone who purposely or knowingly offers or serves or makes available an alcoholic beverage to a person under the legal age for consuming alcoholic beverages or entices or encourages that person to drink an alcoholic beverage is a disorderly person.

This subsection shall not apply to a parent or guardian of the person under legal age for consuming alcoholic beverages if the parent or guardian is of the legal age to consume alcoholic beverages or to a religious observance, ceremony or rite. This subsection shall also not apply to any person in his home who is of the legal age to consume alcoholic beverages who offers or serves or makes available an alcoholic beverage to a person under the legal age for consuming alcoholic beverages or entices that person to drink an alcoholic beverage in the presence of and with the permission of the parent or guardian of the person under the legal age for consuming alcoholic beverages if the parent or guardian is of the legal age to consume alcoholic beverages.

b. A person who makes real property owned, leased or managed by him available to, or leaves that property in the care of, another person with the purpose that alcoholic beverages will be made available for consumption by, or will be consumed by, persons who are under the legal age for consuming alcoholic beverages is guilty of a disorderly persons offense.

This subsection shall not apply if:

(1) the real property is licensed or required to be licensed by the Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 33:1-1 et seq.;

(2) the person making the property available, or leaving it in the care of another person, is of the legal age to consume alcoholic beverages and is the parent or guardian of the person who consumes alcoholic beverages while under the legal age for consuming alcoholic beverages; or

(3) the alcoholic beverages are consumed by a person under the legal age for consuming alcoholic beverages during a religious observance, ceremony or rite.

Penalties for Providing Alcohol to Minors in New Jersey

As the above statute stipulates, providing alcohol to minors is a disorderly persons criminal offense in New Jersey. There are several exceptions to the statute. One exception is when a parent or guardian allows their underage son or daughter to consume alcohol . Another exception is if the alcohol was provided during a religious ceremony or service. However, if convicted of providing alcohol to minors, the penalties can be severe. The statute charges parents who leave their homes available to their underage children to throw parties. The penalties include:

  • Fine: Up to $1,000.00.
  • Jail: Up to Six (6) months in the county jail.
  • Criminal Record: Permanent criminal charge on your record (subject to expungement after five (5) years in certain cases).

 

Contact our Bergen County Criminal Defense Law Firm Today  

Mr. Tormey has handled thousands of criminal cases throughout New Jersey and will use his legal experience to guide your case through the system en route to securing the best possible outcome. Contact his Hackensack offices anytime at (201)-330-4979 for a free consultation.


NJ CRIMINAL LAW VIDEO LIBRARY

If you’ve been charged with a criminal offense, disorderly persons offense, or traffic / DWI violation, you have the right to an attorney who will defend you against your charges and fight for your best interests. To learn more about how your attorney can fight to have your charges dismissed or reduced, click a link below to see our video library of legal defenses and strategies.